Uproar Over Bond Funds Benefiting Railroads
When California voters approved the $20 billion transportation bond in Nov., 2006 they supported the expenditure of over $2 billion for 'goods movement' stemming from the state's busy ports. However, some local officials object to rail projects.
"A proposal by the Schwarzenegger administration to use $170 million in voter-approved bond money for projects benefiting two private railroads is drawing ire from Southern California officials who want the funds for road improvements and other projects."
The funds are part of the $2-3 billion Trade Corridor Improvement Fund of Prop 1B, Nov. 2006.
"State transportation officials said in a recent report that Colton, in San Bernardino County, is "a major choke point that adversely impacts rail freight and has delayed implementation of additional passenger rail improvements."
"The biggest project in the package calls for the construction of a 1.4-mile railroad bridge that would eliminate a bottleneck in Colton" where Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks cross.
"The Colton project would cost $148 million, with the two railroads picking up half the bill and the rest coming from Proposition 1B money.
Another proposal involves spending $43 million to cover half the cost of providing extra tracks and improved tunnels for Union Pacific trains over Donner Pass in Northern California. The third project would use $53 million to cover half the cost of expanding the tracks and tunnels used by Burlington Northern SF over Tehachapi Pass."
"We think the intent of Proposition 1B was for public interchanges and not for the use of the railroad industry," said San Bernardino County Supervisor on behalf of the San Bernardino Associated Governments. "The group has asked the state commission to use the transportation bond money to improve freeways and provide grade separations at rail crossings."
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SacBee editorial: We'll Use Bond Funds For Rail in Northern CA
"If Southern California spurns the funds, Northern California has good use for them"
Sacramento Bee, Friday, February 15, 2008
Editorial: Transportation bond money for rail? Yes - here,
An interesting editorial as it advocates investing in rail improvements - BUT - to negotiate with UP for operational improvements to passenger rail on same corridor. E.g.:
"(UP) wants bond funds from Proposition 1B used to improve Union Pacific's rail corridor over the Donner Summit. Targeted improvements to tunnels through the Sierra would allow double-stacked trains to traverse the summit, cutting a day off the Feather River Canyon route UP's double-stacked freight trains use now.
Public investment in private railroads must include tangible benefits for the public. In the case of the Donner Summit investments, the governor and legislators must negotiate a deal that guarantees expanded passenger access to UP tracks in Placer County. UP now permits only one round trip a day for Capitol Corridor trains between Auburn and the Bay Area. Capitol Corridor Service should be increased to at least 10 round trips a day." [See: Planetizen: Extreme Train Commuting-San Francisco To Sacramento (on the Capitol Corridor)]
Irvin Dawid, Palo Alto, CA
Bond Money
I'm skeptical using public money for private railroads but its not like southern california needs more freeways.